Sligo Rovers -v- Dundalk

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers welcome Dundalk to The Showgrounds on Tuesday evening for the re-arranged premier division fixture.

The game between the two sides was originally to take place on the 18th of May, but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Bit o’Red come into this game on the back of a 0-0 draw with Limerick at Thomond Park on Friday night, and sit in second place in the table after St. Patrick’s Athletic passed them out to take top place. Ian Baraclough’s men have picked up one win in their last five games. That win was a 3-0 victory over Derry City in Sligo in their best performance of the season.

In their previous meeting this season, Rovers were victorious with a 3-1 win in Oriel Park.

The champions remain without the injured Danny North who is coming close to a return. Lee Lynch misses out after picking up a hamstring injury in the game against Limerick. Ian Baraclough will also have to plan without Evan McMillan who is out due to a knee injury. Seamus Conneely is edging closer to his return from injury.

Speaking about the game, Ian Baraclough acknowledged the threat that Dundalk pose: “I think both teams will see the game as a big opportunity. We gave ourselves a great platform in Oriel Park earlier in the season, we moved the ball well and were very clinical in front of goal to earn a 3-1 win. 

“They will come here with no fear and play football and that should make it an entertaining game. When you create as many chances as we did against Limerick, there is a sense of frustration of not getting the victory. This game comes just a few days later and allows a chance to rid some of that.”

DUNDALK

Dundalk come into this game in fourth place in the table, nine points off league leaders St. Patrick’s Athletic. Stephen Kenny’s men have won three of their last five games, picking up their first away loss of the season against Shamrock Rovers three weeks ago.

Their most recent defeat came at the hands of UCD, with the students winning 3-2. The Lilywhites took the lead in the second minute through Pat Hoban, but failed to extend their lead and were punished by Martin Russell’s men who netted three to go 3-1 up, before Hoban got his second of the night which proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.

Stephen Kenny has no suspensions or fresh injury worries to deal with, but he must do without Chris Shields who continues to recover from a knee problem.

Kenny is confident about facing the Bit o’Red: “We want to put Friday behind us. The players gave everything they had and unfortunately it just didn’t happen. We didn’t deserve to lose the game and we created so many chances. It was frustrating but it’s a new challenge going to Sligo. We have been very consistent away from home with just the one defeat and we want to keep going. We have to dust ourselves down, go again and try get a result.”

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers have won their last five games against Dundalk.

The Lilywhites haven’t won at The Showgrounds since August 2009.

1992 was the last time Sligo drew 0-0 in three consecutive games.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 8/15, Draw 13/5, Dundalk 11/2.

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 2-1 Dundalk.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny North, Lee Lynch, Evan McMillan.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Chris Shields.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.